Tunnel Connector for an In-Ground Storm Shelter

ABSTRACT

A tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter which allows inhabitants to enter the in-ground storm shelter from a trailer house without being exposed to external environmental factors. The tunnel connector includes a U-shaped enclosure wall, a staircase, a first lateral wall, and a second lateral wall. The first lateral wall and the second lateral wall are connected perpendicular to the staircase across each other to provide lateral protection. The U-shaped enclosure wall includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an interconnecting sidewall. The interconnecting sidewall is terminally connected in between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The first lateral wall is adjacently connected to the first sidewall, opposite the interconnecting sidewall. Similarly, the second lateral wall is adjacently connected to the second sidewall, opposite the interconnecting sidewall. The tunnel connector is installed in between a floorboard of the trailer house and the in-ground storm shelter.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/311,798 filed on Mar. 22, 2016.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to storm shelters and safe rooms. In particular, the present invention relates to an in-ground storm shelter that is accessible from inside of a trailer. The present invention provides a means to gain access to the storm shelter without exposing inhabitants to outside weather conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Manufactured homes and trailers are terms used to describe factory made homes that are built to specific standards set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the standards are also known as the HUD Code. These homes are built at the factory and transported to the customer's building site afterwards. Traditionally, manufactured homes are built on a steel I-beams with flatter roofs in order to meet clearance restrictions of bridges and overpasses. HUD Code manufactured homes, especially older models, have a reputation for being more susceptible to damages under extreme weather conditions such as high winds. The footings used under manufactured homes vary from concrete to bare soil. These homes are required to be anchored to the ground by various means. Generally speaking, these homes do not rest on perimeter foundations like site built homes and in many cases a vinyl material (skirting) is used for the perimeter crawl space protection instead of concrete.

Many owners of HUD Code manufactured homes have purchased storm shelters and safe rooms to mitigate the risk of bodily harm that can result from storms, tornados, and unwanted intruders. All of these shelters require the inhabitants to go outside in order to gain access to their shelter, thereby exposing themselves to high winds, rain, hail, flying debris, unwanted intruders, etc.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to introduce a means for accessing an in-home in-ground storm shelter safely. The present invention is a storm shelter tunnel under a HUD Code manufactured home that is connected to the in-home in-ground storm shelter. The present invention allows inhabitants to avoid the risk of exposing themselves to weather elements and drastically reduces the time to gain entrance to the shelter. Access to the shelter is made through an opening in the floor of the home which leads to a stair block. The stair block connects the home to the shelter, leading downwards, allowing inhabitants to access a storm shelter door which is located just above ground or grade level. The stair block is walled off from the elements by an enclosure, allowing individuals to enter the storm shelter without being exposed to outside weather conditions. If a storm were to blow away the home, the stair block would disconnect from the home and storm shelter, but leave the storm shelter intact, with the inhabitants safe and unharmed inside.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the present invention depicting the internal components of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention being used to connect an in-ground storm shelter and a trailer house.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention generally relates to in-ground shelters for trailers and other similar manufactured homes. More specifically, the present invention is a tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter 21 which provides inhabitants with quick and safe access to the interior space of the in-ground storm shelter 21 without external environmental exposure. The present invention is designed to be utilized with a trailer house 23 that is installed on a multitude of footings with the in-ground storm shelter 21 being buried directly underneath the trailer house 23. As a result, the in-ground storm shelter 21 is positioned offset from a floorboard 24 of the trailer house 23. Traditionally, when the inhabitants of the trailer house 23 are attempting to enter the in-ground storm shelter 21 through an entrance hole 29 in the floorboard 24, the inhabitants are exposed to environmental factors while passing through the offset distance from the floorboard 24 to the in-ground storm shelter 21. The present invention protects the inhabitants while they are transitioning from the trailer house 23 to the in-ground storm shelter 21. More specifically, the present invention is designed to be installed underneath the floorboard 24 of the trailer house 23, connecting the entrance hole 29 of the trailer house 23 and the in-ground storm shelter 21. The entrance hole 29 is preferably a rectangular shaped hole that traverses through the floorboard 24, adjacent to the in-ground storm shelter 21; more specifically, the entrance hole 29 is positioned adjacent to a horizontal door 22 of the in-ground storm shelter 21.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the present invention comprises a U-shaped enclosure wall 1, a staircase 7, a first lateral wall 11, a second lateral wall 14, a first fastening mechanism 18, and a second fastening mechanism 19. The staircase 7 provides a safe means of ascending or descending a vertical distance. The first lateral wall 11 and the second lateral wall 14 are identically shaped and sized and act as a protective barrier for the sides of the staircase 7, thus protecting the inhabitants from either side of the staircase 7. The first lateral wall 11 is connected adjacent and perpendicular to the staircase 7. The second lateral wall 14 is connected adjacent and perpendicular to the staircase 7, opposite the first lateral wall 11. This design sandwiches the staircase 7 in between the first lateral wall 11 and the second lateral wall 14. The U-shaped enclosure wall 1 acts as a protective barrier in front of the staircase 7 and above the horizontal door 22 of the in-ground storm shelter 21. The U-shaped enclosure wall 1 protects the inhabitants while they are transitioning from the staircase 7 into the in-ground storm shelter 21 through the horizontal door 22. The U-shaped enclosure wall 1 comprises a first sidewall 2, a second sidewall 3, and an interconnecting wall. The first sidewall 2 and the second sidewall 3 are positioned parallel and offset to each other. The interconnecting wall is terminally and perpendicularly connected in between the first sidewall 2 and the second sidewall 3. In relation to the staircase 7, the first lateral is adjacently connected to the first sidewall 2, opposite the interconnecting sidewall 4. Similarly, the second lateral wall 14 is adjacently connected to the second sidewall 3, opposite the interconnecting sidewall 4.

The first lateral wall 11, the second lateral wall 14, and the U-shaped enclosure wall 1 are designed with an equal vertical height in order to ensure adequate coverage for the inhabitants and for the present invention to fit flush under the trailer house 23. Additionally, a bottom edge 12 of the first lateral wall 11, a bottom edge 15 of the second lateral wall 14, and a bottom edge 5 of the U-shaped enclosure wall 1 are positioned coplanar with each other. This allows the present invention to be installed flat on the ground. Prior to installation, the present invention is provided in two separate halves. The first half comprises the staircase 7 with the first lateral wall 11 and the second lateral wall 14. The second half comprises the U-shaped enclosure wall 1.

The first half and the second half of the present invention are connected to each other by a first fastening mechanism 18 and a second fastening mechanism 19 as seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. The first fastening mechanism 18 is mechanically integrated in between the first lateral wall 11 and the first sidewall 2 Similarly, the second fastening mechanism 19 is mechanically integrated in between the second lateral wall 14 and the second sidewall 3. A variety of technologies may be used as the first fastening mechanism 18 and the second fastening mechanism 19 including, but not limited to, clamps, bolts, and screws. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first fastening mechanism 18 and the second fastening mechanism 19 are each an adhesive sealant. Resultantly, the first lateral wall 11, the second lateral wall 14, and the U-shaped enclosure wall 1 are hermetically sealed by the first fastening mechanism 18 and the second fastening mechanism 19, thus ensuring that the present invention is at a minimum waterproof. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, the first lateral wall 11, the second lateral wall 14, and the U-shaped enclosure wall 1 are each composed of fiberglass. This ensures that the present invention is capable of withstanding a multitude of weather conditions and physical stresses without fracturing or deteriorating.

Referring to FIG. 6, in relation to the trailer house 23 and the in-ground storm shelter 21, the first lateral wall 11, the second lateral wall 14, the staircase 7, and the U-shaped enclosure wall 1 are positioned in between the floorboard 24 and the in-ground storm shelter 21. The first lateral wall 11, the second lateral wall 14, and the U-shaped enclosure wall 1 delineate a travel chamber with a first hole 25 and a second hole 26. The inhabitants pass through the travel chamber in order to utilize the present invention. The first hole 25 is delineated by a top edge 13 of the first lateral wall 11, a top edge 16 of the second lateral wall 14, a top edge 6 of the U-shaped enclosure wall 1, and a highest step 9 of the staircase 7 as seen in FIG. 1. The present, the trailer house 23, and the in-ground storm shelter 21 are positioned such that the first hole 25 is coincident with the entrance hole 29 of the trailer house 23. This allows the inhabitants to access the staircase 7. The second hole 26 is delineated by the bottom edge 12 of the first lateral wall 11, the bottom edge 15 of the second lateral wall 14, the bottom edge 5 of the U-shaped enclosure wall 1, and a lowest step 10 of the staircase 7 as seen in FIG. 3. The present invention, the in-ground storm shelter 21, and the trailer house 23 are positioned such that the horizontal door 22 is positioned coincident with the second hole 26, adjacent to the lowest step 10. This allows the habitants to access the interior of the in-ground storm shelter 21 while being protected from external environmental factors. Additionally, the present invention is shaped and sized such that the second hole 26 perimetrically covers the horizontal door 22.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the present invention further comprises a top mating flange 27 and a bottom mating flange 28. The top mating flange 27 connects the present invention to the floorboard 24 of the trailer house 23. The top mating flange 27 is laterally connected to the top edge 6 of the U-shaped enclosure wall 1, the top edge 13 of the first lateral wall 11, and the top edge 16 of the second lateral wall 14. When the present invention is installed, the top mating flange 27 is positioned parallel to the floorboard 24 and is attached adjacent to the floorboard 24. Similarly, the bottom mating flange 28 connects the present invention to the in-ground storm shelter 21. The bottom mating flange 28 is laterally connected to the bottom edge 5 of the U-shaped enclosure wall 1, the bottom edge 12 of the first lateral wall 11, and the bottom edge 15 of the second lateral wall 14. When the present invention is installed, the bottom mating flange 28 is positioned parallel to the horizontal door 22 and is mounted adjacent to the in-ground storm shelter 21, about the horizontal door 22. The bottom mating flange 28 ensures that the present invention does not sink into the ground around the in-ground storm shelter 21. In one embodiment, a complimentary mating flange is connected to the in-ground storm shelter 21, about the horizontal door 22. In this embodiment, the bottom mating flange 28 is adjacently connected to the complimentary mating flange for an airtight seal.

In one embodiment, the present invention further comprises an at least one guide rail 20 and a plurality of anti-slip strips which provide the inhabitants with support while descending through the present invention. The guide rail 20 is an elongated tubular structure that provides the inhabitants with a structure to grasp and hold on to. The guide rail 20 is positioned in between the first lateral wall 11 and the second lateral wall 14. Additionally, the guide rail 20 is positioned parallel and offset from the incline 8 of the staircase 7 to provide support for the inhabitants along the length of the staircase 7. The guide rail 20 is mounted to the staircase 7 as seen in FIG. 4. In one embodiment of the present invention, the guide rail 20 is adjacently connected to the first lateral wall 11. In another embodiment of the present invention, the guide rail 20 is adjacently connected to the second lateral wall 14. In yet another embodiment, the at least one guide rail 20 comprises a first rail and a second rail, wherein the first rail is connected to the first lateral wall 11 and the second rail is connected to the second lateral wall 14. Each of the plurality of anti-slip strips is a flat segment of high friction material which provides the inhabitants with a high friction surface to step on when descending or ascending the staircase 7. The plurality of anti-slip strips is distributed along the staircase 7 with each of the plurality of anti-slip strips being connected to a top surface of a corresponding step from the staircase 7. The plurality of anti-slip strips ensures that the inhabitants do not slip and fall while walking on the staircase 7.

Referring to FIG. 5, an incline 8 of the staircase 7 is at an acute angle with a bottom plane 17, wherein the bottom plane 17 is formed by the bottom edge 12 of the first lateral wall 11 and the bottom edge 15 of the second lateral wall 14. This ensures that the present invention may be easily modified to fit within different offset distances between trailer house 23 and the ground. Modifying the present invention includes cutting off an incremental vertical segment from the staircase 7, the first lateral wall 11, the second lateral wall 14, and the U-shaped enclosure wall 1. Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter comprises: a U-shaped enclosure wall; a staircase; a first lateral wall; a second lateral wall; the U-shaped enclosure wall comprises a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an interconnecting sidewall; the first lateral wall being connected adjacent and perpendicular to the staircase; the second lateral wall being connected adjacent and perpendicular to the staircase, opposite the first lateral wall; the interconnecting sidewall being terminally connected in between the first sidewall and the second sidewall; the first lateral wall being adjacently connected to the first sidewall, opposite the interconnecting sidewall; the second lateral wall being adjacently connected to the second sidewall, opposite the interconnecting sidewall; and a bottom edge of the first lateral wall, a bottom edge of the second lateral wall, and a bottom edge of the U-shaped enclosure wall being positioned coplanar with each other.
 2. The tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a first fastening mechanism; a second fastening mechanism; the first fastening mechanism being mechanically integrated in between the first lateral wall and the first sidewall; the second fastening mechanism being mechanically integrated in between the second lateral wall and the second sidewall; and the first lateral wall, the second lateral wall, and the U-shaped enclosure wall being hermetically sealed by the first fastening mechanism and the second fastening mechanism.
 3. The tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first fastening mechanism and the second fastening mechanism are each an adhesive sealant.
 4. The tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a bottom plane being formed by the bottom edge of the first lateral wall and the bottom edge of the second lateral wall; and an incline of the staircase being at an acute angle with the bottom plane.
 5. The tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter as claimed in claim 4, wherein the acute angle is 45 degrees.
 6. The tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter as claimed in claim 1 comprises: an at least one guide rail; the guide rail being positioned in between the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall; the guide rail being positioned parallel and offset from an incline of the staircase; and the guide rail being mounted to the staircase.
 7. The tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first lateral wall, the second lateral wall, and the U-shaped enclosure wall are each composed of fiberglass.
 8. A system for using a tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter as claimed in claim 1 comprises: an in-ground storm shelter; a horizontal door of the in-ground storm shelter; a trailer house; a floorboard of the trailer house; an entrance hole of the trailer house; the in-ground storm shelter being positioned offset from the floorboard; the entrance hole normally traversing through the floorboard, adjacent to the horizontal door; the first lateral wall, the second lateral wall, the staircase, and the U-shaped enclosure wall being positioned in between the floorboard and the in-ground storm shelter; a first hole being delineated by a top edge of the first lateral wall, a top edge of the second lateral wall, a top edge of the U-shaped enclosure wall, and a highest step of the staircase; the first hole being positioned coincident with the entrance hole; a second hole being delineated by the bottom edge of the first lateral wall, the bottom edge of the second lateral wall, the bottom edge of the U-shaped enclosure wall, and a lowest step of the staircase; and the horizontal door being positioned coincident with the second hole, adjacent to the lowest step.
 9. The system for using a tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter as claimed in claim 8 comprises: a top mating flange; the top mating flange being laterally connected to the top edge of the U-shaped enclosure wall, the top edge of the first lateral wall, and the top edge of the second lateral wall; the top mating flange being positioned parallel to the floorboard; and the top mating flange being attached adjacent to the floorboard.
 10. The system for using a tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter as claimed in claim 8 comprises: a bottom mating flange; the bottom mating flange being laterally connected to the bottom edge of the U-shaped enclosure wall, the bottom edge of the first lateral wall, and the bottom edge of the second lateral wall; the bottom mating flange being positioned parallel to the horizontal door; and the bottom mating flange being mounted adjacent to the in-ground storm shelter, about the horizontal door. 